Play equipment



M. SHAPIRO PLAY EQUIPMENT July 2, 1940.

Filed July 25, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Mame/4r INVENTOR.

5HAP/E0. fi ATTORNEY.

y 2, 1940- M. SHAPIRQ 2,206,581

PLAY EQUIPMENT I Filed Jul -25; 1938 s Sheets-Sheet 2 I N VE N TOR. MURRAY 5HAP/E0.

ATTORNEY.

July 2, 1940.

\ M. SHAPIRO PLAY EQUIPMENT Filed July 25, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

P/AO.

ATTORNEY.

Mumm 5 Patented July 2, 1949 UNlTED stares earsur orries 2,206,581 PLAY EQUIPMENT Murray Shapiro, New York, N. Y. Application July 25, 1938, Serial No. 221,178

4 Claims.

I-Ieretofore devices of this character were so constructed that a child playing on the apparatus might be in the way of or conflict with another child playing on the apparatus. By arranging my device in the form of a Maltese cross with no impediments in the interior of the device I eliminate the possibility of one child getting in the way of another and particularly so when playing on the different types of gymnastic apparatus at each end of the cross.

It is an object of this invention to provide a safe, durable play apparatus, simple in construc= tion yet having a variety of gym apparatus.

It is another object of this invention to provide a playground apparatus so constructed that its interior is free of impediments to permit playing therein and which is in the shape of a Maltese cross to allow different type of gym apparatus to be located at the ends of the cross.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a gym and climbing apparatus for either out door or indoor playgrounds, and which if used in limited space can easily be adapted thereto by removing one or more arms of the cross.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a unitary demountable play equipment having a variety of play possibilities capable of being'used simultaneously by a number of persons.

It is a further object of this invention to provide play apparatus of the climbing type with two or more removable platforms so that the platform may be varied in height to adapt it to the needs of children of ages varying from two years It is a still further object to provide play apparatus with two or more platforms so arranged that by removing one a well or chute is provided through which articles may be hoisted up to children standing on one or more of the other platforms.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide play apparatus of the climbing type with two or more removable platforms to enable them to be placed in different planes so that children using the different platforms will not conflict or be in the way of one another.

It is a still further object toprovide play apparatus of the climbing type comprising a plurality 55 of sections, a platform on each section at least one of said'platforms being arranged in a plane above the other of said platforms.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following disclosures thereof together with the attached drawings which illustrate certain forms of embodiment thereof. These forms are shown for the purpose of illustrating the invention since the same have been found in practise to give satisfactory and reliable results, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which the invention consists can be various arranged and organized and that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and organization of the instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side-elevational view of apparatus embodying the invention and looking in the direction of arrow 5 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the device shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side-elevational view of the apparatus looking in the direction of arrow 2 in Fig. 2.

Fig. l is a detail view, partly in section of one of the uprights with concrete foundation and detail of a secured rung.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view through a rung taken along line 5--5 of Fig. 4.

Figs. 6 and '2 illustrate forms of means for se curing uprights on wooden floors.

Fig. 8 is a view looking in direction of arrow 3 in Fig. 2 modified to show a slideattached.

Fig. 9 is a view lookingin the direction of arrow 4 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail view of the top portion of an upright showing a cap for securing the upright against corrosion by the elements.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of a rung, showing platform secured thereto.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the device.

The equipment disclosed in the drawings which is a demountable unitary structure made of any suitable material, such as, pipe, metal or alloys but preferably of select hard wood, comprises generally a center platform raised above the ground, a plurality of other platforms substantially of the same size and disposed below the center platform but also above the ground. Each side of this gymnasium equipment is constructed such that there is presented a different type of play apparatus for the user, such as, for example, rope ladder, sliding pole, hook ladder, and chinning bar. Beneath each platform there is provided clear space, affording four play areas. This foundation of concrete blocks 33 and anchored thereto by means of a transverse pin 34. The concrete blocks 33 are preferably tapered above the ground for protective purposes. Indoors, the uprights U may be secured to the floor 35 in any suitable manner such as (Fig. 6) by means of metal pockets 36, fastened to the floor by a plurality of screws or bolts 31 or other suitable means. The upright U is preferably secured to the pocket 36, by means of a screw 38, the head 39 of which may project within a recess 43 of the floor 35. The uprights may also be fastened by means of angles 4|, the latter being secured to the floor as by means of screws 42 and the upright U as by means of screws 43. Other means may be employed for securing the uprights to the floor. A plurality of suitably spaced rungs R are provided. At least two rungs R between each pair of uprights are preferably provided with metal tie rods 44 as shown in Fig. 5. These rods 44 prevent the uprights from spreading.

Each rung R is preferably grooved as at 45 parts concealing the rod 44. The rungs Rare preferably reduced in diameter at their ends as at-46 (Fig. 4) providing a better joint with the upright, particularly when cemented or glued thereto. The five platforms 41, 48, 49, 5D and 5| may be fixedly secured to the rungs; or they may be removably attached to permit adjustment thereof in height. For the latter purpose they may be secured by a clamp 52 (Fig. 11) held in place by countersunk bolts 53. These platforms are preferably made in two halves to facilitate handling. Cut-outs 54 may beprovided as clearance for the hands when readjusting the platforms and also to facilitate gripping the rung when climbing up to the platform, hanger cut-outs 55, 56 are provided to clear the two upright posts 51,

'58 for similar reasons.

As clearly shown in Fig. 12 the apparatus can be seen as comprising a rectangular upright portion including the standards 20, 2|, 22, 23 connected by rungs, some of which supporting the center platform 41; four other (but preferably shorter) laterally-disposed rectangular upright portions, each of the latter portions being formed by joining a pair of the shorter standards to respective standards of the center upright portion through a plurality of rungs. These pairs of shorter standards are respectively, 24, 25, 26, 21, 28, 29, 30 and 3|. Each of these upright portions is preferably provided with a platform (48, 49, 50, 5|) supported by rungs.

Thus it can be seen that a plurality of sections are provided with a platform on each section and that at least one of said platforms is arranged in a plane above the other of said platforms.

A plurality of rungs R preferably provided between the following pairs of standards or uprights 20, 24; 2|, 25, 2|, 26; 22, 21, 22, 26; 23, 29, 23, 36. Uprights 24 and 25 are preferably secured together at their upper and lower ends by crossbars 53 and 60. A climbing post 51 with ladder rungs 52 may be secured to the two crossbars 59, 60. Uprights 26 and 21 are preferably secured together at their upper and lower ends by crossbars 62 and 63. Beneath platform supporting rung 65 and connected to uprights 28, 29 is a rung 66. Connected to uprights 23, 29, at their lower ends is another rung 61. A rope ladder 68 may be fastened to the two rungs 66, 61, sufiicient play being provided to allow the ladder to sway a little. A horizontal bar or rung 69 connected to the uprights 36, 3| may be used by children for swinging therefrom by their hands, or the same may be used to support 'a conventional inclined sliding chute 10. To protect the tops of the uprights against exposure to the elements which might cause early decay of the posts at these points, with the accompanying danger of splinters, etc., caps 1| made of metal, composition, rubber, or other suitable material may be provided thereat.

Referring to Fig. 2, it can be clearly seen that the uprights 29, 23 and 30 form a triangular outline in section with the upright 23 forming the vertex and the rungs connecting each of the uprights 29 and 30 to the vertex 23, there being a. free space between the uprights 29 and 30, which separates the sections or units. This same construction preferably applies to a corresponding portion of the assembly.

There is thus provided a play equipment in which each of the sections has an open. vertical wall the walls converging towards a common edge comprising the inward upright providing a freely accessible open front, horizontal run s being located at the walls for play purposes.

It is to be noted that free and unencumbered space is provided by means of my construction,

beneath each of the sections, so that a child can play in the interior with safety and in no way conflict with a child playing on the exterior of the device.

Also my device being in the shape of a cross provides free space between. the extensions of the cross which keeps children playing inone section or extensionfrom conflicting with children in another section.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it is apparent that an improved simple, practical and inexpensive device for the purpose intended is provided. It is apparent, however, that immaterial changes and modifications may be made by skilled persons without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as outlined in the appended claims. Hence, the interpretation of said claims should not bebased on the present specific disclosure but rather on the pertinent prior art. V

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new an d desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Play equipment comprising a plurality of units, one of said units comprising four uprights forming a central unit, each of said other units comprising a pair of uprights connected in spaced relation to said central unit whereby said other units are arranged outside of said central unit. a platform on each of said outside units. and a platform on said central unit, said latter platform being higher than the platforms on said outside units.

2. Play equipment comprising a plurality of units, one of said units comprising four uprights forming a central unit, each of said other units comprising a pair of uprights connected in spaced relation to said central unit whereby said. other units are arranged outside of said central unit, a platform on each of said outside units, and a platform on said central unit, said latter platform being higher than the platforms on said outside units, the platforms on said outside units being at such heights from the bottom of said equipment as to provide playing space below said platforms.

3. Play equipment comprising a plurality of units, one of said units comprising four uprights forming a central unit, each of said other units comprising a pair of uprights connected in spaced relation to said central unit whereby saidother units are arranged outside of said central unit, a platform on each of said outside units, and a platform on said central unit, said latter platform being higher than the platforms on said outside units, the platforms on said outside units being substantially in the same plane and at such distance from the bottom of said equipment as to provide playing space below said platforms.

4. Play equipment comprising a plurality of units, one of said units comprising four uprights forming a central unit, each of said other units comprising a pair of uprights connected in spaced relation to said central unit whereby said other units are arranged outside of said central unit, a platform on at least one of said outside units, and a platform on said central unit, said latter platform being higher than the outside unit platform.

MURRAY SHAPIRO. 

